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Bloody Code 225 crimes punishable by death. (Ineffective (Juries and…
Bloody Code
225 crimes punishable by death.
Effective
It was a cheap way to get rid of criminals
Made sure that there was no reoffending
A deterrent against committing a crime
The alternatives such as prison and transportation were expensive and not fit for purpose
The harsh punishments meant that the upper classes were protected from the working classes and rising urban population
The government feared revolution
Crimes such as highway robbery and witchcraft had dramatically decreased thanks to the bloody code
Ineffective
Juries and judges did not want to send people to their death, so found guilty people innocent of their crimes. The amount of people being executed had fallen dramatically
The death penalty was given to crimes such as murder and very minor crimes such as theft, so there was no difference between the two. 75% of crimes are petty crimes
The pubic executions were seen as a day out for families, and were enjoyed. The criminals being killed were often hailed as heroes
The punishment did not allow for reform and did not give a second chance to criminals
If a criminal was falsely found guilty there was no way to acquit them after their death
As people were starving and desperate, they faced death anyway, so the death penalty was not going to stop them from committing a crime
Violent crime had been rising throughout the industrial period
Other factors meant that crimes such as highway robbery and witchcraft decreased, such as increased education, busier roads and the higher presence of law enforcement
If rich, you could persuade the jury, have good legal representation or have famous people speak for you in court. This was not the case for poor people, so the system was unfair
Crimes with benefitted people were not seen to be as serious, so smugglers and poachers got away free. They also were harder to catch, as everyone was involved, and harder to prosecute, as no one would act as a witness, and the juries would face repercussions
Alternative punishments are improving and allow for reform of criminals
Trials only lasted a few minutes, and there was no chance for any defence to be given.